Ronald F. Burns
(September 17, 1936 - September 12, 2014)
U.S. Veteran
KEWANEE - Ronald F. Burns, 77, of Las Cruces, NM, formerly of Kewanee, passed away on September 12, 2014.
He was born September 17, 1936, to Francis Patrick and Iva Pearl Burns in Kewanee.
He was preceded in death by his parents and by his only sibling, James Patrick Burns, all of Kewanee.
He is survived by Rosalie, his wife of 58 years, his daughter, Michele Allison of Las Cruces, his Sheltie, Ace, IV, his niece, Erin Sheets (Troy), and their children, Nicholas, Lauren, and Landon of Kewanee.
After his graduation from high school, he enlisted in the Air Force and was stationed at the Port Austin, MI, AC & W site, where he met and married his wife.
His love of camping took him and his family to special places like Jackson Hole, and Cody, WY, as well as up north in Wisconsin, and the UP of Michigan.
He loved to watch the large freighters, the tall ships, and the Chicago-Mackinac sailboat races on Lake Michigan at the Straits.
Being of Irish descent, he eagerly anticipated the numerous trips to Ireland, where his natural gift of gab was put to good use.
He was an avid reader, loved history, but also enjoyed riding his ATV in the woods of northeastern Iowa, looking for morel mushrooms.
During the summer, he boated and fished on the Mississippi River, and during winter camping, he went ice fishing with his buddies.
He chose his friends well and had long-lasting, loyal friendships with them, especially those who worked with him at John Deere in Moline, IL.
He and his family moved to Las Cruces, in 1989, to enjoy their retirement years.
Ron was a member of Mission Lutheran Church, the Elks Club, and Tiffin Allegro Club.
Cremation has been accorded and graveside services will be held at 1:00 PM, Friday, October 3 at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Kewanee.
Deacon Martin VanMeltebeck will officiate.
His colorful personality and character will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
In lieu of flowers or plants, donations may be made in his name to: Memorial Medical Center, Cancer Center, 2530 S. Telshor Blvd., Ste. 201, Las Cruces, NM 88011; Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, 13400 East Shea Blvd., Scottsdale, AZ 85259; Mackinac Straits Health System, Oncology, 1140 N. State St., St. Ignace, MI 49781; Mesilla Valley Hospice, 299 Montana, Las Cruces, NM 88005; or to the charity of your choice.
Vernon R. "Vern" Adkins
(July 17, 1933 - September 16, 2014)
U.S. Veteran
KEWANEE - Vernon R. “Vern” Adkins, 81, of Kewanee, died at 3:50 PM, Tuesday, September 16, 2014 at Presence Cor Mariae Center in Rockford, IL.
Cremation has been accorded and a memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM, Friday, October 3 at Rux Funeral Home in Kewanee.
Rev. Dan Craig will officiate.
Visitation will be held one hour prior to the services at the funeral home.
Inurnment will be in Pleasant View Cemetery, along with his wife, Maxine, to commemorate there 55th wedding anniversary.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the First Baptist Church in Kewanee or to the Kewanee Food Pantry.
He was born July 17, 1933 in Kewanee, the son of Walter and Ruby (Hawkins) Adkins.
He married Maxine Rose Kleckner on October 3, 1959 in Annawan, and she preceded him in death on August 24, 2014.
Survivors include two daughters, Debbie (Barry) Nelson of Roscoe, IL, and Kathy Adkins of Kansas City, MO, a brother, Paul Adkins of Kewanee, two sisters, Louise DeToye of Kewanee, and Donna (Dick) Welty of Galesburg, and two grandchildren, David and Kelly Nelson.
He was also preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Chester, Rudy and Jim and two sisters, Frances and Willadeen.
Vern graduated from Kewanee High School in 1951.
He served his country in the Army during the Korean War, serving in Okinawa.
He worked as a meter reader for Illinois Power for 36 and a half years, retiring in 1995.
Merle Torbet Streitmatter
(January 16, 1925 - September 16, 2014)
KEWANEE - Merle Torbet Streitmatter, 89, of Kewanee, died at 5:25 PM, Tuesday, September 16, 2014 at OSF Saint Luke Medical Center in Kewanee.
He was born January 16, 1925 in Stark County, IL, the son of Clark and Creola (Torbet) Streitmatter.
He married Norma Patricia Swanson on September 17, 1946.
She survives, as do their children, Linda DeCamp of Henry, Gary Streitmatter of Kewanee, Alan (Linda) Streitmatter of Metamora, and Amy (Greg) Milroy of Toulon, grandchildren, Francine (Doug) McCartney, Scott DeCamp and David and Kyle Milroy, a great-grandchild, Alexis DeCamp.
He later married Mary Doubleday on November 22, 1991 and she survives as do her children, Ivan Jasper and David (Sharon) Jasper, Debra Sue (Donald) Partridge and Linda Jasper, grandchildren, Nathan Jasper and Stephen Partridge.
Also surviving are his sisters, Mildred Campbell, Alice Cleer, Lucy Meaker and Kay (Wilburn) Weaver and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Marcella Surritte, a step-son, Jack Jasper, and two step-grandchildren, Amy and Celeste Partridge.
Merle graduated from Wyoming High School in 1943.
He served his country in the Illinois National Guard as a cook.
He grew up on the family farm before moving to Kewanee.
He drove a truck for several local companies and had also worked for Stewart Hybrids in Princeville, and had his own carpet cleaning business before returning to farming with Marshall McCurdy.
He also transported clients from Stark County, to Abilities Plus before retiring in 1996.
He enjoyed gardening, bowling, playing cards and attending all activities of his children, grandchildren, family and friends.
He was a member of Wyoming United Methodist Church and the Masonic Temple in Wyoming.
He was a friend to all, a stranger to none.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM, Saturday, September 20 at the Wyoming United Methodist Church.
Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 PM, Friday, September 19 at the church, where Masonic Rites will be conducted at 7:00 PM.
Cremation will be accorded following the services and inurnment will be in Evergreen Memory Gardens in rural Kewanee, at a later date.
Memorials may be directed to Abilities Plus.
Rux Funeral Home in Kewanee, is in charge of arrangements.
Gloria Joanne Johnson
(April 6, 1929 - September 29, 2014)
WILLIAMSFIELD - Gloria Joanne Johnson, 85, of Williamsfield, passed away at 1:10 AM, Monday, September 29, 2014 at Knox County Nursing Home in Knoxville, IL.
She was born April 6, 1929 at home in Williamsfield, the daughter of James H. and Lois German.
She attended elementary and high school in Williamsfield, and graduated from Western Illinois University in 1950.
She married Lyle “Newt” Johnson on December 27, 1953 in Williamsfield.
She had taught school in Brimfield and Knoxville.
Gloria was a member of the Williamsfield United Methodist Church, the Williamsfield American Legion Auxiliary, Knox County Retired Teachers, Spoon River Chapter DAR, Illinois Prairie Colony of New England Women and Williamsfield Home Culture Club.
She was preceded in death by her husband on August 5, 2009, her parents, grandparents, Elmer and Elizabeth German and Charlie and Nettie Caldwell, two brothers, James C. and Gerald F. German, Sr., nephew, Robert German and sister-in-law, Peggy German.
Those who are left to mourn her passing are sisters-in-law, Carrel German of Tampa, FL, and Charlotte Fletcher of Brimfield, as well as many nieces and nephews and several great-nieces and nephews, as well as many of her former students.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM, Thursday, October 2 at the Williamsfield United Methodist Church.
Pastor Jennifer Seder will officiate.
Visitation will be held one hour prior to the services at the church.
Burial will be in Williamsfield Cemetery.
Memorials may be directed to the Williamsfield United Methodist Church or to the Williamsfield Library.
Rux Funeral Home in Williamsfield, is in charge of arrangements.
Roger K. Spiegel
(July 18, 1942 - September 24, 2014)
U.S. Veteran
GALVA - Roger K. Spiegel, 72, of Alexandria, VA, formerly of Galva, died Wednesday morning, September 24, 2014 at Alexandria INOVA Hospital.
Cremation has been accorded and a memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, October 4 at Messiah Lutheran Church in Galva.
Rev. Linda Winkelman will officiate.
There will be no visitation.
Inurnment will be in Galva Cemetery, where military rites will be accorded by the Galva Fusiliers.
Memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society.
Rux Funeral Home in Galva, is in charge of arrangements.
He was born July 18, 1942 in Galva, the son of Lloyd and Marie (Sundberg) Spiegel.
Survivors include his brother, Dale (Mary Ann) Spiegel of Galva, a nephew, Ron Spiegel of Galva, two nieces, Sherrie (Kevin) Rohrig of Galva, and Susan (Dan) Olander of Lake Worth, FL, several great and great-great-nieces and nephews, and his partner, William Criger of Alexandria, VA, and his extended family.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents and a great niece, Ashley Spiegel.
Roger graduated from Galva High School in 1960.
He worked for Burlington Northern Railroad.
He served his country in Vietnam.
After returning from Vietnam, he went to Washington D.C., and worked for the F.B.I., the Pentagon and 25 years in the correspondence department at the White House, retiring in 1992.
He then worked part-time in retail, most recently at Random Harvest in Old Town Alexandria.
Gail M. Graf
(February 13, 1960 - October 1, 2014)
KEWANEE - Gail M. Graf, 54, of Kewanee, died at 8:29 PM, Wednesday, October 1, 2014 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria.
Cremation has been accorded and a memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, October 8 at St. Peter’s Evangelical Church UCC in Kewanee. Rev. Bob Sherman will officiate.
Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 PM, Tuesday, October 7 at Rux Funeral Home in Kewanee.
Memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society.
She was born February 13, 1960 in Kewanee, the daughter of Robert and Lois (Beelaert) Walker.
She married Harold R. Graf, Jr. on September 29, 1984 in Kewanee, and he preceded her in death on June 10, 2005.
Survivors include her son, Robbie Graf of Kewanee, and her sister, Julie Walker of Kewanee.
She was also preceded in death by her parents.
Gail graduated from Wethersfield High School in 1978 and went on to attend school in Elkhart, IN, to become a dental assistant.
She then went to Black Hawk East and Western Illinois University in Moline, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude with her teacher’s certificate.
She has taught for 21 years in the Kewanee School District at Central, Belle Alexander and Irving Schools as Title 1 Reading Teacher.
She was a member of St. Peter’s Evangelical Church UCC.
She enjoyed social gatherings with the teachers in her school district, traveling and especially spending time with Robbie.
